Saying he was forced out of small firm he founded after leaving BigLaw, partner, 72, gets a new gig

A well-known employment and civil rights litigator says he was forced out of the law firm he founded in 2003 after a nearly 23-year career at Paul Hastings.

But Lawrence Ashe, 72, is now starting a new job, as senior counsel, at another firm, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs.

“We are exceptionally pleased to have a lawyer of Lawrence’s stature and reputation join Parker Hudson,” said managing partner Wayne Hillis in a press release. “We look forward to working with Lawrence to build a stronger employment law practice as a complement to the firm’s thriving business litigation practice.”

Ashe’s former firm, known until Saturday as Ashe Rafuse & Hill, was surprised to hear of Ashe’s exit plan, managing partner and co-founder Nancy Rafuse told the Daily Report (sub. req.). Her firm is now known as Rafuse, Hill & Hodges.

But Ashe said he left for Parker Hudson after his former firm tried to pressure him into retiring, the Daily Report says.